Afterglow of Nuit Blance 2013—“Parade.”

08Oct

This year at Nuit Blanche, many of the visual art installations were on University Avenue, which was closed to vehicle traffic from Queen West to Bloor Street. As this avenue is one of the city’s popular routes for parades, this section of Nuit Blanche was entitled “Parade.” The art works were either on flatbed trucks, similar to those employed by floats for parades, or mounted on metal or wooden frames. The first installation on the route was entitled “Queen of the Parade.” It was on a tall metal frame, and the “Queen” climbed to her perch from inside the structure. It was located at Queen Street West and University Avenue.

The base of the structure and the frame for “Queen of the Parade.”

The frame was covered in what appeared to be an enormous quilt.

“The Queen” at the top of the tower, regally gazing out over her admirers below.

“Paper Orbs” was also constructed on a wooden frame. When completed, the frame supported a booth where hats inspired by origami were distributed.

“The Ferris Wheel,” which was wind powered. View gazes south on University, the Canada Life Building in the background.

The Ferris Wheel at night.

Reflections of the Ferris Wheel in Timothy’s Coffee Shop window.The shop is on the east side of University Avenue.

The Ferris Wheel and the reflections from its lights in the window of Timothy’s.

The large flatbed truck being stacked with cardboard tubes to create “Parallax.”

The cardboard tubes employed in the art work entitled “Parallax.”

“Parallax” after dark, surrounded by admiring viewers.

The flatbed being prepared for “Static Clown Factory.”

Balloons being inflated with helium gas to create this float on Parade.

“The Static Clown Factory” at night in all its colourful glory. It resembled a float from a Mardi Gras parade.

This display attracted great crowds. It was positioned near the Princess Margaret Hospital, which is Toronto’s main facility for cancer research and treatment. The visual on the screen was symbolic of the fight against the disease, with many hands contributing to the fight.

This float achieved its stated purpose. Viewers were puzzled and wondered what it represented. Some felt that it resembled a submarine.

At night, the shape appeared ominous yet attractive. People wanted to touch it as they examined its texture and shape.

On the morning of the event, this flatbed gave little indication of the colourful float that the artists had designed.

At night, the giant spider emerged. People lingered to marvel at this colourful creation.

This was one of the most interesting floats on Parade. Viewing it during the morning, I was unable to visualize what it was.

All I could see was a booth enclosed by glass, and a monument with a horse mounted on it.

At night, when the float was in operation, a young man sat in the booth and embroidered a design on a blank piece of cloth. His work was then transferred visually to the base of the monument that had a horse mounted on it. It could then be viewed by the crowds.

The artists embroidering on the piece of cloth.

The embroidery seen on the base of the monument, which acted as a screen. The artist’s hands can be seen as he embroidered.

This was the scene in the morning, the bicycles having been placed on the flatbed.

Participants lined up to ride one of the bicycles. Their pedalling generated power to operate the lights and the sound system.

In the morning light, the scene created on the flatbed appeared interesting.

At night, it was colourful. A person in a white doctor’s coat and wearing a mask, walked through the scene.

The lights on the trees on the float.

The figure walking about on the float.

These pictures were taken about 11 am on Saturday morning.

At night, the globe was magical.

This art work was created with cardboard strips.

This final view is of Queen Street West, gazing east toward Yonge Street, near midnight on the evening of Nuit Blanche. It was taken from the bridge that crosses the street from Nathan Phillips Square.